… Obama’s approval rating can greatly affect the 2014 midterm elections and, to a lesser extent, the 2016 presidential election – and the historical odds of it recovering much seem to be slim. In midterms, electorates often take out their frustration with the president on the their party’s congressional members. […] Read more »
With Poor Ratings on Handling Syria, Obama’s Approval Worst in Over a Year
Barack Obama’s job approval rating flattened at an even 47-47 percent in the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll, his lowest in more than a year, with more than half of Americans disapproving of his handling of the situation with Syria. The public by a 15-point margin is more apt to […] Read more »
Get Ready for the Status Quo
For months now, my theory has been that there were two competing narratives about what the political environment would be like for next year’s midterm elections and, for that matter, going into the 2016 presidential election. One narrative was that the challenges facing the Republican Party in 2012—problems with the […] Read more »
Public Backs Diplomatic Approach in Syria, But Distrusts Syria and Russia
As U.S. and Russian diplomats reached an agreement over the weekend to dismantle Syria’s chemical weapons stockpiles, the public expresses support for a diplomatic approach to the crisis but is skeptical about its effectiveness. By a 67% to 23% margin, the public approves of Barack Obama’s decision to delay military […] Read more »
Five Years After the Economy’s Meltdown, Most Still See Inadequate Safeguards
Five years after the economy fell into the abyss, fewer than half of Americans feel it’s improved substantially – and two-thirds in a new ABC News/Washington Post poll say the federal government has failed to take adequate steps to prevent another meltdown. As Barack Obama today marks the anniversary of […] Read more »
2014 Election Futures Market
It’s a year out and EVERY Republican has one question on their mind: Will ‘14 be more like ‘10 (yeah!), or will it be more like ‘12 (yuck)? If this were Ireland and you could bet on political elections (it’s not and you can’t), at least this would help you […] Read more »